Comments on: Notes, from Ben. http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/ Podcasts and comment on travel, tapas, learning Spanish and living in Spain, plus beautiful Spain photos. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ben Curtis http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-135017 Ben Curtis Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:21:09 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-135017 Angeles - Thanks for the links, muy interesantes! Less sleep deprived now, yes thanks! Angeles – Thanks for the links, muy interesantes! Less sleep deprived now, yes thanks!

]]> By: angeles http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134998 angeles Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:09:04 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134998 Hi Ben, Glad you're back! If you want organic seasonal produce that doesn't cost the earth, there's a cooperative that delivers every fortnight not far from where you live: http://www.nodo50.org/lagarbancitaecologica/oscommerce-2.2rc2a/catalog/ What's happening with the move to Asturias? Are you less sleep deprived now? I love small shops (I particularly love my poulterer, fishmonger and green grocers), but it can be very confusing. And I've been highly recommended this children's bookstore http://www.kirikuylabruja.com which has free events every Saturday. Okay, looking forward to your next instalment. Hi Ben,

Glad you’re back! If you want organic seasonal produce that doesn’t cost the earth, there’s a cooperative that delivers every fortnight not far from where you live:
http://www.nodo50.org/lagarbancitaecologica/oscommerce-2.2rc2a/catalog/

What’s happening with the move to Asturias? Are you less sleep deprived now?

I love small shops (I particularly love my poulterer, fishmonger and green grocers), but it can be very confusing. And I’ve been highly recommended this children’s bookstore
http://www.kirikuylabruja.com
which has free events every Saturday.

Okay, looking forward to your next instalment.

]]> By: luke http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134846 luke Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:22:08 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134846 I should never reread my comments the amount of spelling mistakes is shameful. Anyway @Jonk maybe you're right or maybe not: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BU2CN20091231 I should never reread my comments the amount of spelling mistakes is shameful. Anyway @Jonk maybe you’re right or maybe not:
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BU2CN20091231

]]> By: Lucy http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134755 Lucy Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:17:05 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134755 Spain is my new country, I've been here for 7 months, so I have so much to blog about that I need to stay away from the Internet as much as possible or I'll have trouble at work (btw, I work at home). I get to know a little bit about the food, the culture, the people every day and it's so much fun! And surely, Spanish cuisine can make up for a blog of its own... Spain is my new country, I’ve been here for 7 months, so I have so much to blog about that I need to stay away from the Internet as much as possible or I’ll have trouble at work (btw, I work at home). I get to know a little bit about the food, the culture, the people every day and it’s so much fun! And surely, Spanish cuisine can make up for a blog of its own…

]]> By: Ben Curtis http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134731 Ben Curtis Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:10:10 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134731 Dimonio - Yes, those small bookshops do add character to towns, just as the small butchers, bakers etc do... long may they survive in Spain, despite the onward march of Carrefour etc... MrMark - Wow, can't believe Borders has shut, I loved going in there in Oxford while Marina goes clothes shopping, what a shame! Jonk - I think you are right about pollution, though it comes in so many shapes and forms, that no doubt we'll never be rid of it entirely. Dimonio – Yes, those small bookshops do add character to towns, just as the small butchers, bakers etc do… long may they survive in Spain, despite the onward march of Carrefour etc…

MrMark – Wow, can’t believe Borders has shut, I loved going in there in Oxford while Marina goes clothes shopping, what a shame!

Jonk – I think you are right about pollution, though it comes in so many shapes and forms, that no doubt we’ll never be rid of it entirely.

]]> By: Lee http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134728 Lee Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:01:42 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134728 Two food blogs, not necessarily vegetarian but with interesting recipes: http://desertcandy.blogspot.com/ http://poorgirlgourmet.blogspot.com/ Two food blogs, not necessarily vegetarian but with interesting recipes:

http://desertcandy.blogspot.com/

http://poorgirlgourmet.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Jonk http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134713 Jonk Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:40:44 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134713 Given I've stood on that beach I possibly should have recognised it... Re: electronic books, I used to be the same way until I tried it. Then I realised that what we talk about - the smell, holding the book - are all just positive associations we have derived from the pleasure of reading. That is, they have no value in and of themselves. I read the Harry Potter series in Spanish on my laptop (reclined on the couch) and it yes was weird at first but after about 10 pages it wasn't anymore - all those same positive emotions had returned. Because the pleasure comes from the reading. And @luke, the Kindle "hasn't taken off"? What?? It's been a spectacular success for Amazon. Now Ben, there's three things which spring to mind that I believe our grandchildren will have difficulty fathoming. First, our willingness to tolerate pollution. Our grandkids most likely will never see smog in their lives. What an exciting thought. I believe they will see our world much as we see the pollution drenched world of Dickens. Second, the snail's pace of awarding of rights to gays. Third, that we took so long to wake up to the insanity of prohibition. Given I’ve stood on that beach I possibly should have recognised it…

Re: electronic books, I used to be the same way until I tried it. Then I realised that what we talk about – the smell, holding the book – are all just positive associations we have derived from the pleasure of reading. That is, they have no value in and of themselves.

I read the Harry Potter series in Spanish on my laptop (reclined on the couch) and it yes was weird at first but after about 10 pages it wasn’t anymore – all those same positive emotions had returned. Because the pleasure comes from the reading.

And @luke, the Kindle “hasn’t taken off”? What?? It’s been a spectacular success for Amazon.

Now Ben, there’s three things which spring to mind that I believe our grandchildren will have difficulty fathoming.

First, our willingness to tolerate pollution. Our grandkids most likely will never see smog in their lives. What an exciting thought. I believe they will see our world much as we see the pollution drenched world of Dickens.

Second, the snail’s pace of awarding of rights to gays.

Third, that we took so long to wake up to the insanity of prohibition.

]]> By: MrMark http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134672 MrMark Sun, 31 Jan 2010 13:23:19 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134672 Dimonio - Yes I think you have a point. It's interesting though that recently Borders shut down in the UK. I think it's also partly down to the fact you can get books cheaper on Amazon. Plus, if you want a cheap read you can always pop in the High Street charity shops. The end effect is I suppose that all UK high streets look the same, either big national chains, bookmakers or charity shops. Dimonio – Yes I think you have a point. It’s interesting though that recently Borders shut down in the UK. I think it’s also partly down to the fact you can get books cheaper on Amazon. Plus, if you want a cheap read you can always pop in the High Street charity shops. The end effect is I suppose that all UK high streets look the same, either big national chains, bookmakers or charity shops.

]]> By: dimonio http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134670 dimonio Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:26 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134670 Hi MrMark - Books are more expensive than in the UK as I think there is still a law to maintain prices within 5% of the Recommended Retail Price. Whilst this may look like a bad deal for the consumer, it does mean a lot of Spanish cities still have independent book retailers - something that has all but disappeared from the UK. I spent a few hours wandering round 4 different ones in Palma 2 weeks ago and to be honest I would happily pay a little more to ensure their survival as they add to the cultural life of the city. Hi MrMark – Books are more expensive than in the UK as I think there is still a law to maintain prices within 5% of the Recommended Retail Price. Whilst this may look like a bad deal for the consumer, it does mean a lot of Spanish cities still have independent book retailers – something that has all but disappeared from the UK. I spent a few hours wandering round 4 different ones in Palma 2 weeks ago and to be honest I would happily pay a little more to ensure their survival as they add to the cultural life of the city.

]]> By: MrMark http://www.notesfromspain.com/2010/01/27/notes-from-ben/comment-page-1/#comment-134592 MrMark Sat, 30 Jan 2010 14:24:06 +0000 http://www.notesfromspain.com/?p=1543#comment-134592 Good to see you back Ben. One area where Spain is generally more expensive than the UK is the price of books. Maybe reading e-books will take off more quickly in Spain? Good to see you back Ben. One area where Spain is generally more expensive than the UK is the price of books. Maybe reading e-books will take off more quickly in Spain?

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